Pressure-gage



H. HASTINGS.

PRESSURE GAGE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3, I919.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Flume/MM PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT HASTINGS, OF BRIGHTON, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PRESSURE-GAGE. I

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application filed June 3, 1919. Serial No. 301,472.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT HASTINGS, a citizen of the United States, residin at Brighton, in the county of'Monroe and tate of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pressure-Gages, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to pressure gages such as are commonly used in connection with the oiling systems of gasolene engines to show the pressure-of the oil in the system.

The objects of my invention are: To provide a direct reading, dial indicating gage which will withstand a high overload without interfering with the subsequent opera tion and accuracy of the instrument. To provide an instrument of the kind with the minimum of joints in the pressure fluid chamber. To provide a gage movement with-a minimum number of parts free from screws, pins, rivets, nuts or parts apt to become loose or fail to perform their intended function. To provide means for clamping the gage to a panel or plate. To provide a gage which will accomplish the above objects and in addition be adaptable to economical manufacture on a high production basis.

I attain these objects by the mechanism and means shown in the accompanying drawings in which i Y Figure 1. isa partial sectional view of a device embodying my invention, taken on the line 11 of Fig. 3.

Fi 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Flg. 1 with the dial removed.

Fi 3. is a front or face View of the assemb ed. device less the means for clamping it to the panel.

Fig. 4. is an edgewise view of the movement plate looking in the direction of the arrows and normal to the line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5. is an enlarged partial sectional View on the line 55 of the case and on the broken line 55-5 of the plate Fig. 2 showing a corrugated diaphragm and dlaphragm support.

Fig. 6. is a view of the helical indicator stem 6 shown in big. 5 taken on a plane at right angles thereto.

Fig. 7. is a partial sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 8, showing means for clamping the gage to a panel.

Fig. 8. is a view partially in section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the different views.

1 is a case provided with a flange 1 a dial seat 1 a bottom 1, a diaphragm housing 1 and a threaded portion 1 adapted to receive a tube connection and diametrically opposite projections 1.

2 is a flexible diaphragm provided with'a frictional or wearing block 2?.

3 is a diaphragm stop plate and is provided with a perforation 3 a stop surface 3 adapted to limit the movement of theblock 2 in one direction and the surface of the stop.

plate 3 conti uous to the diaphragm 1s shaped to con orinao the shape of the diaphragm.

4' is a movement plate provided with an upturned, forked projection with a fulcruni of 4 and on the verticalcenter line of the a longer bearing projection 6" and a helical' .portion 6.

7 is a dial provided with suitable graduations 7 a and a notched perforation 7 shown dotted in Fig. 3.

8 is an indicator tion 8*.

9 is a spacing ring.

10 is a glass or transparent disk.

.11 is a retaining ring. 7

12 is a level retaining and pressure resisting spring.

provided with a perforadiaphragm the diaphragm flexes to the right.

13 is a clamping yoke provided with depressions 18, with screw receiving perforation 13*, with acircular central perforation 13, with right angle lips 13 and internal notches 13 14 are screws provided with nuts 15'.

16 is an instrument panel or plate and is perforated at 16.

The assembly and functions of the above parts may be described thus.

The diaphragm 2 with the wearing block 2 attached thereto is assembled on the reinforcing plate 3 by turning the outer edge ofthe former back over the edge of the plate and closing the edge down against the back of the plate. When thus assembled the diaphragm and plate are inserted in the housing 1 of the case 1 and soldered as at s. This solder serves to anchor the diaphragm and plate to the case and also to seal against leakage between the diaphragm and the case. It will thus be seen that as fluid pressure is applied to the left hand side (Fig. 1) of the giving a relative movement of the wearing block in that direction and as the pressure increases the movement vcontinues until the wearing block contacts with the back of the stop plate at 3 and coincident therewith the free surface of the diaphragm also contacts with the corresponding surfaceof the stop plate and any further pressure applied to the diaphragm is transmitted to and carried by the latter plate without strain to or distortion of the diaphragm and to insure this freedom from distortion the back of the stop plate is made of the same form as the diaphragm at the moment of contact.

The indicator stem 6 is assembled in its bearings on the plate 4 by inserting the end 6 into the hole 4 and then" springing the end 6 into the hole 4;. The multiplying lever 5 is then inserted in the forked guide so that its notch 5 rests on the edge 4 of the movement late, the intermediate portion of the lever is ee to move in the forked guide 4 the outer end 5 of the lever is brought into contact with one side of the spiral under 1 pressure exerted by the flexible or spring portion 5 of the lever and this spring action operates to keep the lever in close contact with thehelix so as to prevent any lost motion between the latter and the lever, the notch 5 receives the spring 12 which exerts pressure on the lever in a direction ;to keep the notch 5 on its seat 4 at the same time keeping the projection 5 of the lever in contact with the wearing block 2" on thediaphragm, the pressure exerted by the spring -on the lever thus determining to an extent,

the pressure required on the diaphragm to move the lever a predetermined amount. It will thus be seen that the motion of the diaphragm is transmitted to the lever 5 and that the amount of travel of the end of the lever at the points of contact with the spiral is increased severalfold and that the end of the-lever thus brushing along the side of the spiral gives the latter an increased angle of oscillation proportional to its helical angle. Thus the indicator 8 which is secured to the end of the indicator stem 6 has a transverse movement at its free end many fold greater than the movement of the diaphragm.

The spring 12 Figs. 2 and 4 is held in place on the movement plate at between the clips 4* and the face of the plate and in such a position that-the free end of the spring beyond one of the clips passes under the spring controller 4 and the bending of this controller in one direction or the other as shown by dotted lines Fig. 2, regulates the case by spot-welding or otherwise attaching 7 it to the bottom thereof. g The dial is inserted in the case underneath the indicator 8, and rests on the shoulder-or dial seat 1 in such a position that the center of the circular portion of the notched perforation 7 b coincides with the center of the indicator stem 6 and the narrow portion of the perforation engages the projection 4 thus locating the dial in a predetermined an lar position.

11 top of the dial around the outer edge is a spacing ring 9, on. top of this ring is a glass or transparent disk 10 and on top of the latter is a retaining ring 11 which fits tightly within the case and holds the glass,

that the flange l bears against the face of the panel 16. Near the inner end of the body of the case are projections 1 and engaging these projections is a plate or yoke 13 which is slipped-over the projections 1 by bringing the notches 13 which are slightly larger than the projections, into alinement therewith, and after passing over the projections turning the yoke so that the projections 1 occupy the depressions 13 in the yoke. The screws 14 are then turned ulp tight against the back of the panel thus 0 amping the gage in position. The lips 13 are provided to keep the nuts 15 from turning and the depressions 13 are provided to prevent the gage from turning-in the yoke when the projections l are held in these depressions.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a pressure indicating device, a case provided with a pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm closing one end of said chamber,

an indicator stem journaled in parts of the device and provided with a helix and an indicator, a lever pivotally supported in parts of the device and contacting with the diaphragm and adapted to oscillate the helix, said lever being non-flexible in the direction of its motion but provided with a portion flexible in a plane perpendicular thereto between its support and the helix 2. In a pressure indicating device, a fluid pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm provided with a reinforced center sealed in one end of said chamber, a rigid plate adapted to continuously support one side of the diaphragm and its reinforced center, an indicator stem comprising a flat ribbon twisted into a helix and pivotally supported in parts of the device, and provided'with an indicator, a lever contacting with the diaphragm and helix and fulcrumed on apart of the device and provided with a flexible portion adapted to maintain a uniform pressure of contact between the lever and the helix, a dial traversed by the indicator and a transparent protecting cover for said dial and indicator.

3. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm, a stop plate secured to the outer edge of the diaphragm and to the case at one end of the chamber and adapted to uniformly support said diaphragm against distortion under excess strain, a pointer stem provided with a pointer mounted to rotate within the case and means co-acting with the diaphragm'and stem to rotate said stem.

4:. In a pressure gage, a cylindrical case provided with a fluid pressure chamber, a seat for a movement plate, and a support for a dial; a flexible diaphragm sealed near one end of said chamber, a movement plate secured to said seat and provided with an upturned edge to serve as a fulcrum and an upturned fork to serve as a guide for a lever and provided with means for oscillatably supporting a pointed stem near each end thereof; a lever adapted to oscillate on said fulcrum, a pointer stem operated by said lever to oscillate insaid means, a pointer mounted on said stem and a dial mounted on the dial support.

5. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a pressure chamber, a spring diaphragm closing one end of said chamber, a revoluble stem provided with a helix and a pointer, a pivoted lever adapted to engage said diaphragm and helix non-flexible in the direction of its motion but flexible in a plane at right angles thereto, a plate adapted to support said stem and lever, a spring for holdlng sa d lever in contact with the dia phragm and in its support on said plate, said lever adapted to maintain uniform contact with the helix through the flexibility of the lever.

6. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a fluid pressure chamber, a member closing one end of said chamber mounted therein flexibly responsive to a change of pressure within the chamber, a stop plate adapted to retain said member in said chamber and to uniformly support it against excessive deflection, a helical indicator stem mounted to oscillate within the case, a flexible lever contacting with said member through the influence of a spring and contacting with the helical stem through the influence of the flexible portion of the lever, a pointer mounted on the stem and a dial supported at one side of the pointer.

7. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a fluid pressure chamber, a diaphragm flexibly responsive to change of pressure mounted to close "one end of said chamber, a stop member adapted to hold said diaphragm in said chamber andadapted to limit the flex of the diaphragm, a dial provided with a graduated scale mounted within the case, a pointer adapted to traverse said graduations and means for transmitting the motion of the diaphragm to amplified motion of the pointer.

8. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm closing one end'of said chamber, a stop member adapted to hold said diaphragm'in position in the chamber and to stop it against excessive flexure, a pointer stem and pointer, a rocking member, means for supporting said stem and rocking member so that said rocking member co-acts with said diaphragm and said stem to rotate the stem and a spring acting on said rocking member to keep it in contact with said diaphragm,

9. In a pressure gage, a case provided with a pressure chamber, a spring diaphragm held in one end of said chamber by a stop plate which plate is adapted to limit the movement of said diaphragm, a pointer stem provided with a helix and a pointer,

a lever adapted to contact with said diauphragm and helix to oscillate the latter, a

member adapted to pivotally support said stem and lever, a spring adapted to keep said lever in contact with the diaphragm and on its pivot, said lever being made flexible in a plane perpendicular to its motion adapted to maintain yielding but constant contact with said helix.

10. In a pressure gage, a pressure chamber a portion of which is formed by a member flexibly responsive to change of pressure, means for limiting the flex of the member continuously from center to circumference, a lever contacting with said member, a spring acting upon the lever to cause it to press against the member, means for regulating the action of the spring and a pointer stem with pointer thereon adapted to be actuated by the lever in proportion to the movement of the flexible member.

. 11. In an instrument of the class dc perforation adapted to permit the insertion of the body and projections and to engage back of the shouldered projections when in-' serted and means coacting between the yoke and the panel for clamping the case thereto.

12. In an instrument of the class described, the combination of, an instrument panel provided with an opening, an instrument case adapted to be mounted in said opening and provided with projections spaced from one side of the panel and with a flange contacting with the other side thereof, a yoke with a notched perforation adapted to be assembled overthe projections on the case and provided with depressions adapted to engage back of the projections to prevent rotation of the case within the yoke and means coacting between the panel and yoke for clamping the case in position thereon. I

13. In an instrument of the class described, the combinationof an incasement comprising. a cylindrical body portion and an annular flange the body, portion being provided .with shouldered projections, a panel provided with a perforation in which the incasement is adapted to be supported and. means coacting with the shouldered projections, the panel and the flange for securing the incasement in position on the panel. v

14:. In .a pressure indicator, the combinatioh of' a movement plate provided :With slotted guides adapted to fulcrum and sup port a lever and provided with pivot bearings for a helix, a lever fulcrumed in one of said guides and swinging in the other guide, said lever being made thick and stiff be tween the guides and, being held in line thereby, said lever being reduced in-thickness beyond the guides to make it thin and flexible, a helix against which the side of the outer end of the lever is yieldingly held by the guides and the flexible part of the lever, said helix being supported in saidpivot bearings.

15. In a pressure indicator, the combination of a movement plate provided withv guides for a lever and bearings for a helix, a lever adapted to swlng in said guides, said lever belng made thick and stiff between the guides and being held in line thereby, said lever being reduced in thickness beyond the guides to make it thin and flexible laterally of the guides, a helix pivoted in said bearings and against which the side of the lever at the outer end is yieldingly held by the guides and the flexible part of theleven- 16. In a pressure indicator, the combination of a case provided with a' pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm -mounted therein, a stop plate also mounted'therein, the periphery of the stop plate being in contact with the periphery of the dia hragm, the

stop plate toward the center slightly diverg ing from the diaphragm in normal position, the diaphragm making contact therewith under pressure, and means for securing said diaphragm and plate in said chamber.

17. In a pressure indicator, the combinati n of a case provided with a pressure chamber, a flexible diaphragm mounted therein, a stop plate also mounted therein, the periphery of the stop plate being in contact with the periphery of the diaphragm, the stop plate toward the center slightly diverging from the diaphragm in normal position, the diaphragm making contact therewith under pressure, the stop plate having an opening in the center thereof, a wearing, block on the diaphragm making contact with the stop plate around the opening, and means for securing said diaphragm and plate in said chamber.

HERBERT HASTINGS.

Witnesses:

WM. MULOAHY, EDNA M. OAR'MooY. 

